Extensive investments in the Kaiserslautern and Sembach sites
As part of its „24/500“ strategy recently announced by Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Managing Director of GDELS-Germany, at the Handelsblatt conference “Economic Factor Defense” GDELS is driving forward the expansion of its manufacturing and service capacities in Germany. In addition to the two new production facilities currently under construction in southern Germany, over ten million euros have already been invested in the sites in Rhineland-Palatinate this year.
As an integral part of its Germany strategy, the long-established systems integrator GDELS – Bridge Systems is now announcing a further comprehensive expansion of its production sites in Kaiserslautern and Sembach. With investments totaling over 20 million euros in the coming year alone, as well as the creation of around 400 new jobs by 2029, the company is sending a strong signal of its long-term commitment to Rhineland-Palatinate and in particular to the Kaiserslautern region as a business location.
„We are clearly committed to the region and are investing specifically in infrastructure, production capacities, and the creation of long-term, qualified jobs. By involving the local and regional supplier industry and service providers, we generate high added value for Rhineland- Palatinate,“ emphasizes Dr. Christian Kauth, Managing Director of GDELS – Bridge Systems and GDELS – Germany.
As President of the M&E Employers‘ Association Pfalzmetall, Dr. Kauth continues: „Our investment decision for this location must not distract from the fact that politicians need to remain committed to improving the conditions for industry in Germany as quickly as possible.“
Among the key projects is the conversion of production hall K16 of the Opel site in Kaiserslautern. A production facility for floating bridges, among others, is being built here on over 10,000 square meters. At the same time, production capacities for the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system are being doubled at the headquarters in Kaiserslautern.
The M3 has established itself as the amphibious bridge standard within NATO and has recently been ordered by Sweden, Denmark, and Latvia. Further procurement decisions are pending in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Norway. 90% of NATO’s floating bridge capacity already comes from Kaiserslautern.
Politicians welcome decision
Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer welcomed the company’s decision: „I am pleased with GDELS–Bridge Systems‘ decision to invest millions in the Kaiserslautern and Sembach sites. This strengthens Rhineland-Palatinate as an industrial location and creates around 400 collectively agreed jobs for the region. GDELS – Bridge Systems‘ amphibious bridge systems are already in demand worldwide and have established themselves as a NATO standard. In view of the current challenges in security and defense policy, the company is thus making an important contribution from Rhineland-Palatinate.„
The state’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Daniela Schmitt, echoed this sentiment: „It is an important signal that GDELS is expanding its site in Kaiserslautern and thus makes a significant contribution to the security of Germany and our NATO partners. This commitment to the location demonstrates once again that Rhineland-Palatinate is an attractive location for the security and defense industry. This is where the diverse competencies of production, research, and development converge. This is precisely what we support with our industrial and innovation policy in Rhineland-Palatinate.“
GDELS–Bridge Systems has been present at its Barbarossastrasse site in Kaiserslautern since 1864 and has operated a second plant in Sembach since the early 1990s. The company has been an integral part of the German defense industry since the 1950s and has since developed into a global market leader in the field of mobile floating bridges. Since 2008, with the beginning of Germany’s engagement in Afghanistan, the site has also played a central role in the production and maintenance of protected wheeled vehicles. Currently, the new EAGLE 6×6 is under delivery to the German Armed Forces as their new Medium Protected Medical Vehicle.
GDELS – Bridge Systems employs approximately 550 people today. A further 15 new apprentices will begin their training in September 2025. The planned expansion of the workforce by 400 additional positions across all divisions, particularly production workers such as welders and mechanics, will make GDELS one of the largest employers in the region.
„We foresee a sustainable utilization of our locations well into the 2030s. We are making a decisive contribution to the ‘Zeitenwende’ for the German Armed Forces and our international customers,“ says Dr. Kauth.
